The abbey of Maroilles is located in the eponymous locality, in the North, 12 km northwest of Avesne-sur-Helpe.
Located on the edge of the forest and on the banks of the Helpe, it was founded around 650 by the Count of Famars. It was very quickly richly endowed by its first abbot, Humbert, who owned land and vines in the region.
From the beginning of the 9th century, it became a royal abbey and a cult developed dedicated to its founder, soon to be called Saint Humbert, and his relics were transferred to the site with the agreement of Charlemagne.
Disturbed by the Norman invasions and then the wars that affected Hainaut in the 14th and 15th centuries, the abbey was rebuilt in the 16th century when the new abbot, Frédéric d'Yves, was also appointed adviser to the King of Spain.
The abbey of Maroilles was then at its peak. This prosperity continued even after the attachment of the region to France (1659). On the other hand, the Revolution is fatal to him. The abbey church was destroyed and a large part of the convent buildings were dismantled, becoming stone quarries.
Today, the abbey where the cheese that still makes the fame of the town was created remain, however, notable vestiges. If the relics of the saint and founder are visible in the current church, the old mill and some elements of buildings are to be observed, and especially the old tithe barn (where the taxes paid in kind were stored…). The building has been rehabilitated and it houses the premises of the Regional Natural Park of Avesnois (exhibition hall, interpretation and information center on cultural and natural heritage). Information on +33 3 27 40 54 70.
